Expansions of Global Manufacturing Production and Employment Picked Up in July. Cost Inflation Sharpest Since October 2004.

The rate of expansion of the global manufacturing sector picked up slightly in July, as global demand for manufactured goods remained robust.

The JPMorgan Global Manufacturing PMI — which provides a single-figure measure of overall operating conditions in the world manufacturing sector — posted 55.6 in July, from 55.0 in May and June and its most elevated level for three months.